plate no. 3675
Bound in Sleep
Arshile Gorky, 1925
some experience helpful
This painting helps students practice simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing to achieve subtle variations in skin tone.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the face and neck, focusing on the geometric structure.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color with thin washes, starting with the lightest tones.
- step 03
Build up the darker areas with thicker paint, using visible brushstrokes to define form.
- step 04
Mix and apply the secondary colors to create shadows and highlights.
- step 05
Define the eyes, nose, and mouth with black paint, using bold, expressive strokes.
- step 06
Add the geometric patterns on the clothing, paying attention to the color relationships.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue
Mix white with yellow ochre to create the base skin tone. Add small amounts of red, blue, or green to create subtle variations in color. Use black sparingly to create shadows and define edges.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·geometric abstraction
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much black and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to simplify the forms and creating a cluttered composition.
- →Ignoring the color relationships and creating a discordant palette.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to provide texture for the paint. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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